It had been a long time since I felt such excruciating pain. The moment I crashed into the ground, it felt as if every bone in my body shattered, and for a brief moment, I couldn’t breathe. On top of that, the recoil from the Sonic Impact left me unable to move.
In other words, I couldn’t even writhe in agony. It had been years since I cried from pain. If I had been in a proper state to move, it probably wouldn’t have been a big deal. Regardless, there were many points for reflection. First, I needed to learn how to unleash Sonic Impact multiple times without the recoil. And even if I couldn’t move, I should be able to remain unscathed after falling from such a height.
I still had a long way to go; after all, I had grown stronger up to this point. The future would be no different. Considering my pace so far, I should be able to fight against someone of the Dragon God class with a bit more ease in a month, six months, or even a year. It was true that such beings were rare, but I never expected to encounter something like the Dragon God on my way here. The world was vast, and I could never imagine what kind of experiences awaited me.
“Protect the Dragon God!”
As I lay there unable to move, dragon-faced figures gathered around me. At first, I thought they were injured Anima, but I quickly realized they were Dragonfolk. Though their appearances, shapes, and colors differed, there was no mistaking it—there were dozens of them, perhaps even over a hundred.
I wished they would wait just a little longer. If I could move even one hand, it would be fine. But in this state, surrounded by so many, I had little confidence in my chances of survival.
“Anima-sama, are you alright?!”
“W-worry about the Dragon God… He should have fallen over there…”
“Young ones are rushing to the scene now!”
The Anima surrounded by the Dragonfolk looked down at me. Of course, their claws were sharp and extended, poised to kill me at any moment.
“Did you turn the Dragon God into such a wretched form?! With such power, you must be a descendant of the Hero clan!”
“Wait—!”
The Dragonfolk scattered as a golden dragon descended from the sky, catching them off guard. Despite being weaker than the Anima, these Dragonfolk were still quite strong. If Seigel and the others arrived in this situation, it would be disastrous.
“Lua! Are you safe?!”
It was too late. Not just Seigel, but several Dragon Hunters had returned. They gasped as they saw Kurinka, the dragon, and the multitude of Dragonfolk. This was bad; if things continued like this, a battle was inevitable. Moreover, Seigel and the others likely didn’t know that the dragon was Kurinka.
“Lua… I never thought you would end up in such a predicament. Just hold on; I’ll rescue you right away.”
“W-wait a moment. Please don’t attack the Dragonfolk… And, um, can you listen to what they have to say…?”
“No questions asked! Prepare yourself!”
“Wait…”
Anima clutched her stomach and grabbed the shoulder of one of the Dragonfolk. It seemed her wound was healing quite well. Being a Dragonfolk, she likely healed quickly, and there was hardly any bleeding.
At Anima’s command, all the Dragonfolk present froze in place. It seemed Anima was a leader among them, as everyone turned their attention from me and Seigel back to her.
“If it weren’t for that girl, we would have been annihilated by the Dragon God alongside the humans. You know well how fierce that being’s temperament is… In fact, he didn’t even spare us a glance.”
“That’s…! But that being has sheltered us, who have nowhere else to go…”
“To him, it may have been nothing more than a whim. Indeed, we owe him a debt for sheltering us when we had nowhere to turn in the human realm. But is that debt something we should protect with our lives? If we trace it back, we too were once humans…”
“Do you even realize what you’re saying?! You have insulted our God!”
“Of course, I still revere the Dragon God… Witnessing that power firsthand, I too felt a hint of fear… I am grateful to that girl for calming him.”
The sheer power of the Dragon God was astonishing, enough to make Anima, who had never listened to anyone before, speak so earnestly. Having fought against him myself, I could say with certainty that if he had been left unchecked, the world would have faced certain doom. He had spoken of wiping out entire species in the past, which only added to the gravity of the situation.
As Anima feared the Dragon God’s power, I couldn’t help but wonder if the Dragon Hunters and Adventurers were similarly intimidated by me. They claimed to revere him, yet their hostility was palpable. Seeing Anima, who had shown nothing but disdain for humans, change her heart made me feel uneasy.
“Hey, hey, Anima… don’t say such soft things. No matter what you say, I’m going to kill that girl over there.”
“Stop it, Kushion. What joy is there in killing an opponent who cannot move?”
“If you want to stay quiet, then do so, Anima!”
“That girl seems to dabble in magic; even if she can’t move a finger, she will still be a challenge.”
“Ugh…”
How did he know? Or was he just guessing? I had indeed planned to fight using my least favorite magic if it came down to it. But I knew that magic would be significantly weaker than fighting with my bare hands or a sword, and I preferred to avoid it if possible.
I wondered how Kurinka alone would fare against Kushion and the other Dragonfolk. It felt too dangerous.
“And if you kill that girl, a full-scale conflict with the humans is inevitable.”
“That’s right. Dragon God, I understand you’re furious that your revered deity has fallen, but we nearly lost our lives too. Not to mention, the Hunter’s Nest we’ve built over the years is already in ruins. It’s not just you who is filled with rage.”
It wasn’t just Seigel; the other Dragon Hunters gripped their weapons tightly. In terms of strength, Seigel and the others had no chance of winning, but their determination was palpable. Even Kushion seemed to falter and step back in the face of their intensity.
This was also a testament to Anima’s leadership. The Dragonfolk, who had been so enraged, had calmed down significantly thanks to her.
“Anima-sama, the Dragon God is coming this way…”
The head of the Dragon God, supported by several Dragonfolk on a large cloth, approached. As expected, the Dragon God was still alive, even in such a state. I had unleashed Sonic Impact with the intent to kill, yet his vitality was astounding.
Even in this condition, did the Dragon God still intend to do something? Regardless, my body was starting to regain movement, and I had no intention of losing.
“I never expected to be subjected to such a humiliating fate…”
The Dragon God looked at me with a tone that was neither angry nor sorrowful as he attempted to rise. In response, the other Dragonfolk began to surround me again, but Anima stopped them.
“My rage cannot be contained…! If this continues, I shall devour that small body whole!”
“Are you still fighting?! Don’t you realize that if you do that, you’ll surely die this time?!”
He was indeed furious. The Dragon God bared his fangs, looking as if he might leap at me, head alone. I wondered if I had no choice but to fight, glancing at my Bastard Sword, which was now riddled with cracks. This was bad; I had overused it in previous battles. It wasn’t a particularly high-quality sword, and I had thought about buying a new one, but in a pinch, I could always rely on this troublesome sword with its additional effects. I had left it aside for too long.
As I prepared to draw my other sword from my back to face the approaching Dragon God, his expression suddenly softened.
“I… I have never felt such a sense of mortality… You are the first to make me aware of death.”
In stark contrast to his earlier fury, the Dragon God now closed his eyes.
“Over the course of thousands of years, I have brought death to countless beings. Did I ever consider the feelings of the prey hunted by a hunter? I had never contemplated such a perspective until you presented it to me. The moment I realized I would vanish from this world… that sensation of freezing terror overwhelmed me. I tasted fear for the first time.”
This sudden revelation left not only me but also the Dragonfolk exchanging bewildered glances. I doubted even the Dragonfolk who had been with him for so long could have anticipated such a transformation in the brutish Dragon God.
“My daughter, how did you acquire such power?”
“How did I acquire it…? Well, it’s about the Abyss Cave…”
“The Abyss Cave… Could it be the ‘Festival of Calamity’?!”
“Impossible, that barrier should repel ordinary humans…”
“My daughter, did you truly venture into the Festival of Calamity?!”
The Dragonfolk closing in on me looked frightening. With their dragon faces lined up and their breaths heavy with excitement, they were overwhelming.
“W-wait a moment! I didn’t know anything about the Festival of Calamity!”
“That place seals the world’s calamities! How did you enter that forbidden land?!”
“Well, I thought I could just walk in and defeat the monsters inside… But it took me ten years. I even found this sword there.”
“Th-that sword is…!”
The once boisterous Dragonfolk fell silent, their jaws nearly dropping in disbelief. This sword, which I had hardly used due to its overwhelming additional effects, could have been useful during the Dragon God incident, but I was too caught up in the heat of the moment to think of it then. More than that, their astonishment piqued my curiosity. Their mouths were agape, as if they might unhinge, and I found myself taken aback instead.
“W-what’s wrong with this?”
“…My daughter, what on earth did you do when you entered the Festival of Calamity?”
“What do you mean? I went all the way to the bottom…”
“What did you do about the sealed Calamity?”
“I defeated it…”
“Ha…”
How is it that the Dragon God, despite only having a head, is so lively? Normally, I would think he should be dead.
“Fuhahahaha! Hahhahahaha! I see, what an interesting specimen! You mean to say that even the Hero clan, known as the strongest in the human realm, could only seal those monsters, yet you defeated them! My daughter, come with Kurinka to my lair! I have no intention of fighting you anymore! On the contrary, Kurinka! I shall teach you how to wield your power!”
Where on earth does such a loud voice come from that head? The loudest laugh I had ever heard was from Bottom, but this one surpassed even that. After all, that head alone is as large as the house we live in.
“W-wield it?”
“Do you not wish to return to your human form? If you understand how to control your power, you can traverse between dragon and human. Though, it was impossible for these ones.”
When he referred to “these ones,” he was, of course, pointing at the Dragonfolk. And I really didn’t want to accept this invitation. After all, just a moment ago, they were rampaging, and if I hadn’t been there, the continent would have been truly devastated. This sudden change of heart felt untrustworthy.
“Lua-chan…”
“Sure, it would be inconvenient to stay like this, but he seems to be plotting something…”
“I shall grant you time. If you are willing, come to the entrance of Dragon’s Valley tomorrow. I will be waiting there.”
“D-Dragon God! You can’t just proceed without our consent…”
“Are you dissatisfied, Anima?”
“N-no…”
Anima fell silent, and I wondered how we would move in that form. Just like when we arrived, the Dragonfolk spread out a cloth and began to carry him away. That head must weigh quite a bit, and I felt sorry for the Dragonfolk. They looked just as perplexed, glancing back at us as they followed. What remained behind was a Hunter’s Nest filled with rubble and the remains of buildings.
Only after the silence set in did I truly recognize how powerful the Dragon God was. Yet, I had defeated him. With Vandalsia and Lord Daigami, it was clear that there were still many formidable beings in this world. Even though I had left the Dragon God’s head in a near-faint state after using Sonic Impact, I still needed to grow stronger.
“The Festival of Calamity and all that… Kurinka, what should we do?”
“Ah, well, first things first. Let’s explain the situation to them.”
Pointing with his thumb, Seigel indicated the soldiers lined up on the passive. They were already swiftly searching the Hunter’s Nest, and amidst that, Jag and the Comet Wolf Brigade were being bound and taken away.
“Reporting! There are zero missing persons and zero casualties! Four hundred twelve with minor injuries! Four with serious injuries!”
“Immediately provide protection! Those who can use healing magic, take the lead!”
“Yes!”
“There was no room for explanation… At this rate, we might just be a hindrance. Lua, let’s go.”
“Go where?”
“Sorry, I have some personal matters to attend to, and it feels wrong to do this now… I was thinking of visiting my father’s grave. But given the situation, I hope it’s okay to stay.”
◆ Outside Hunter’s Nest – Dragon Hunter’s Cemetery ◆
Simple graves marked only by wooden boards with names were scattered irregularly. In front of the graves were bottles of alcohol and swords, likely belonging to those who lay sleeping there.
As we ventured deeper into the thicket, this place stood lonely, perfect for the dead to rest. It was enveloped in a strange silence, devoid of the sounds of insects or birds.
“Here lie the Dragon Hunters who died in battle… Ah, don’t mind me. I’m sorry…”
“No, it’s fine.”
For a moment, I didn’t quite grasp the meaning of this exchange. But even when I understood, I couldn’t bring myself to say anything. I couldn’t blame Seigel for being insensitive, and besides, Kurinka had expressed her desire to come here.
“There are many who would call these people fools. Depending on how you look at it, they might not be wrong, but I don’t think that way. After all, they chose their own way of life. If that was the best life for them, no one has the right to complain.”
As he surveyed the cemetery, Seigel took a deep breath. Perhaps, as Seigel said, choosing one’s own way of life meant just that. Living and dying as one pleases. I wondered if I could live such a life.
“My father’s grave is over there.”
Kirius’s grave was as simple as the others. But unlike the rest, a sword was plunged into the ground instead of a wooden board, surrounded by many offerings of food.
“Father, I brought someone. The one you named Roel… Now she goes by Kurinka, and this is her friend. What you protected is right here.”
Seigel spoke to the rusty sword in a clear voice. Kurinka, who had been on the verge of tears, leaned her large dragon head against it.
“Kirius… I’m sorry, I’m so sorry… It’s my fault…”
“Your father tried to save you until the very end… You don’t need to apologize.”
“But…”
“Kurinka, don’t cry.”
I hugged Kurinka tightly, trying to envelop her head as best as I could. The dragon wings fluttered gently, and she sniffled. A soft breeze that unexpectedly blew through the cemetery felt as if it were comforting the scene.
“Roel, huh. That was the name Kirius gave you.”
“Uh-huh… I have two names, one from my father and mother. But Kirius feels like a father to me too.”
“Which do you prefer, Kurinka?”
“I like both! What about you, Lua-chan?”
“I like both too, Roel.”
“Oh, you said Roel!”
“Hmm, it’s a tough choice…”
A gentle breeze passed between the golden dragon and me. Perhaps it was blessing us.
“Now, we should offer something…”
“This…”
“Huh, an apple? Kurinka, when did you get that…?”
“Since you always fed me, now I want to feed you.”
Kurinka took an apple from her bag and gently placed it in front of the grave. Then, a warm breeze flowed between the three of us.
“It’s a pleasant wind… Maybe my father is happy.”
“I hope so…”
“Hey, Lua-chan. I’m going to see the Dragon God.”
“Eh, why…?”
“If I keep crying, Kirius won’t be happy, and I need to move forward instead of dwelling on the past. Plus, he mentioned a lot of things that caught my interest.”
“Hmm, that’s true… But what if he’s plotting something?”
“Even if he is, we won’t lose, right?”
“…Yeah, let’s go.”
There was no need to hesitate. The Dragon God was in such a state that he could hardly fight, and even if the Dragonfolk attacked, I didn’t feel like we would lose. Even if he had some strange trap set up, I had conquered the Abyss Cave, known as the Festival of Calamity. There were plenty of annoying traps there. The Dragonfolk’s traps, which they were surprised about, were nothing compared to that.
“Tomorrow, let’s go see the Dragon God.”
“Yeah!”
“Well, with strong allies on our side… Let’s give those guys a try.”
Scratching his head, Seigel seemed to have decided to ask the Dragonfolk for help in restoring the Hunter’s Nest. I didn’t know if it would go well, but it was better to try and regret later than to not try at all. Just like the Dragon Hunters resting here chose their own way of life, we too would move forward without regrets into the future.